Legacy

Help safeguard our future with a Legacy - Your Will can help preserve our Railway Heritage

The day-to-day income from passenger fares, shops and catering covers the cost of running the trains, including normal maintenance and renewals but it does not generate enough income to invest in development projects. These include railway expansion, restoration of historically important heritage trains, building educational facilities or conserving heritage artefacts and records. We have many plans for the future to continue to run one of the UK’s finest railways, but to do so we rely upon people to leave us gifts in their will. Legacies fund investment for the future, not day-to-day operations.

Surprisingly, only one in three people make a Will, but without an up to date will, there is a risk that your estate will not go where you intend. It may even end up going to the Government! Your Will protects your loved ones and can help prevent more anguish for them at a difficult time. It is also a chance for you to leave behind a very special gift to help the causes closest to your heart, something which is not always possible to do in your lifetime.

The Railway has taken the step to partner with Pardoes Solicitors (a local firm with offices in Taunton, Bridgwater and Yeovil) who understand all of these aspects. Pardoes also have agreed to undertake Will preparation for those who care about the Railway at a very competitive rate, and have further agreed to donate from those costs an amount which will go direct to the railway. Pardoes offer to provide fixed price Wills for West Somerset Railway members of staff (paid and volunteer) that carry a valid WSR ID Card or those who use the new Legacy Leaflet with the Pardoes logo within.

The price for a single Simple Will is £100, £130 for a couple or for mirror Simple Wills (all plus VAT).

And the Railway will also receive a donation of £10 - £15 for each Will that Pardoes prepare. So both you and the Railway can gain! To take advantage of the discount please see the coupon on the our Legacy leaflet or contact:

The Railway Legacy Officer on legacy@wsrail.net or 01643 704996 or Pardoes directly via 01278 457891 or visit their website mentioning the Railway and this article**.

** Please note...whilst the West Somerset Railway and Pardoes are able to offer this discount scheme, you do not have to use Pardoes to leave a legacy to the WSR or make a Will; it is your right to take your own independent legal advice if you wish to do so.. Pardoes are professionally obliged to act for you completely independently, despite the existence of this scheme.

How your gift can help

A gift, no matter how small, will make a difference. Here are some examples of how your gift could be spent in future years:

£500 could buy 50 sleepers which would provide much needed siding space to accommodate historic vehicles

£1,000 could enhance the authentic appearance of the railway by installing a goods yard loading gauge or restoring a lengthman’s hut

£5,000 would allow us to buy, transport and protect a heritage carriage

£10,000 will allow us to renovate the roof of a station building or goods shed and so protect that building for the next 50 years

New locomotive tyres. It is surprising how steel tyres on locomotive wheels can wear on the tightly curved and steep gradients of the WSR! Using £43,000 of legacy money, new tyres have been provided to help ensure the long-term availability of the WSR locomotive stock.

And of course, the Minehead Turntable which was originally based at Pwllhelli (North Wales). It was built at Swindon in 1898, and (with a locomotive) weighs 170 tons. It is now installed and in use, providing an excellent turning facility not to mention a thrilling and popular visitor experience. Amongst other monies, the turntable project used £58,000 of legacy money.

Want to know more?

I am considering a Legacy for the WSR and would like to talk with someone (confidentially) about this, please email John Myers legacy@wsrail.net or 01643 704996

We will hold your details for administrative purposes only and will not pass your details to third parties. Please let us know if you are unhappy to receive additional information about the WSR and its activities. Registered Charity Nos 1041901 and 265564.